In November 1944, as the struggle to defeat Japan reached a ferocious pitch, seven airmen in an American bomber were shot down and forced to bail out over the jungles of Borneo. Though the island had been captured by the Japanese, the mountainous interior remained largely unpatrolled, and the sick and starving men soon found themselves among the Dayak tribesmen, who were infamous for their former headhunting ways. Multilingual diplomat Judith Heimann, who was stationed in Borneo and interviewed surviving tribesmen, tells in gripping detail how these so-called savages chose to hide and protect the downed airmen—at great risk—defying and ultimately defeating their Japanese oppressors.

"[This] is an engaging and unique tale of courage and rescue. Heimann has created a nuanced portrait of Borneo and a fascinating group of truly heroic tribesmen."—Alex Kershaw